Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Pushka]

It should be obvious by now that QF management does not give a stuff about its customers. It knows the vast majority are either on corporate accounts, chasing LTG or just rusted-on loyal customers who have never experienced anything else, and will continue to fly QF, be treated like dirt and pay top dollar.

Yeah, kinda rings true. But in some cases, the crew are wonderful. And that helps bridge the gap.

 

[stm1sydney]

in some cases, the crew are wonderful.

Yes. Thus my careful use of the term "QF management." But of course some QF crews are woeful, it's very inconsistent.

 

[tm.smile]

QF409 SYD/MEL (gate 2) this morning and there was a staff member checking entry to priority lane *and* the scanner was from what I could see being used predominantly for priority. Two suits tried it on and were promptly asked to go to the standard boarding lane.

 

[eddie 73]

QF449 SYD/MEL 27th Dec. Departed business lounge 5 mins into boarding. The ENTIRE line was priority. Sailed past the lot of them, straight to BP scan at red line. Ahh, the ignrance (no offence intended) of infrequent holiday travellers

 

[Pushka]

QF449 SYD/MEL 27th Dec. Departed business lounge 5 mins into boarding. The ENTIRE line was priority. Sailed past the lot of them, straight to BP scan at red line. Ahh, the ignrance (no offence intended) of infrequent holiday travellers

Are you sure they hadn’t switched the lanes?

 

[Pleb Status]

QF409 SYD/MEL (gate 2) this morning and there was a staff member checking entry to priority lane *and* the scanner was from what I could see being used predominantly for priority. Two suits tried it on and were promptly asked to go to the standard boarding lane.

A stopped clock gets it right twice a day (and by complete accident of course).....

 

[eddie 73]

Are you sure they hadn’t switched the lanes?

Priority at the left side.

They also opened up the “row 15 and behind, please board via stairs @ back exit door” policy, which may have been far too advanced multi-tasking to police/announce queueing procedues.

 

[Pushka]

Priority at the left side.

They also opened up the “row 15 and behind, please board via stairs @ back exit door” policy, which may have been far too advanced multi-tasking to police/announce queueing procedues.

It’s annoying the way they flip from left to right. Creates unnecessary confusion.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

On QF868 the other day, one of the scanners was taken out of action. The FA on the non-priority queue stopped and called us in the priority lane over before continuing.

 

[Buzzard]

On QF868 the other day, one of the scanners was taken out of action. The FA on the non-priority queue stopped and called us in the priority lane over before continuing.

As it should be.

 

[Daver6]

Well folks, I may have some good news. I filled out a post flight survey on 21st Dec for a flight taken the day before. I had the option to request someone calls to discuss and today I got that call from someone who seemed to genuinely care based at PER airport.

One of the issues I raised was even though boarding to the remotes stands (gates 7 - 11) at PER uses two lanes, neither is designated as a priority lane. I was informed that a priority lane would be in place there in the near future and had been on their radar. A good start to a flawed system.

I then mentioned what a disaster the actual system is which he completely acknowledged and said QF only has them self to blame for never enforcing it. Additionally they are implementing change system wide in the near future. He didn't specify how the system would work, but said we should expect to see the roll out commence in the next few months and that it would be enforced. So some positive news.

I also asked about the cabin bag enforcement. Again he acknowledged QF was solely to blame for the situation getting totally out of hand.I was informed that approach taken currently is what he called "soft enforcement" and a way to educate people. The reason he had was this was due to safety reasons. I did question why 10kgs is deemed safe on J*. To his credit he didn't make up a story and agreed that it didn't make sense. He intends to find out that answer for himself.

So you heard it here first. Priority boarding might actually become a thing. Next step, priority baggage.

 

[Hvr]

So you heard it here first. Priority boarding might actually become a thing.

And in other news pigs flying have caused congestion at major airports.

I hope you're right but ....

 

[straitman]

QF449 SYD/MEL 27th Dec. Departed business lounge 5 mins into boarding. The ENTIRE line was priority. Sailed past the lot of them, straight to BP scan at red line. Ahh, the ignrance (no offence intended) of infrequent holiday travellers

Are you sure they hadn’t switched the lanes?

I have done this in Sydney and in Melbourne. Priority lane full and no one in the non-priority lane so I went straight to the front of the 'non' lane.

 

[Quickstatus]

QF is full of customers who can get PB. It is not unusual to see a flight with most passengers SG and above especially the morning and afternoon flights like this one.

Additionally Statused passengers often fall into :
1)Look at me I’m priority
2)I don’t care I’m staying in priority because I damn well earnt it.

I don’t get the fuss. Passengers gripe about PB but the aerobridge queue is much longer and single lane. No priority there. News item - it’s not PB, it’s just a line so you can get to the end of the aerobridge queue quicker unless you are at the front of gate. (Which means getting out of the lounge a lot earlier)

I hope they keep the PB. I’ll just keep sneaking into the shorter line

 

[Quickstatus]

Should add
3) I’m priority and don’t do non priority - that’s for bogans

The Australian egalitarianism is shallower than skin deep

 

[Pushka]

Should add
3) I’m priority and don’t do non priority - that’s for bogans

The Australian egalitarianism is shallower than skin deep

I don’t think that the people queuing are all priority. I see little old ladies joining the queue who clearly don’t travel much based on their overheard conversations as I wait not so patiently behind them and they sure don’t end up in the first 3 rows. This usually happens where the priority lane is closest to people walk up from security, so they just join the first lane they get to. So when PB is on the left and which happened recently, then it’s a dogs breakfast. I’d not expect PB to be as busy during day time flights either.

I just get into the smallest queue. I hate queues.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes there is the uncanny instinct of following the herd . AKA joining the longest queue.

Despite millions of years of evolution, that instinct is still there.

 

[Pushka]

Yes there is the uncanny instinct of following the herd . AKA joining the longest queue.

Despite millions of years of evolution, that instinct is still there.

One day that instinct will save us, or kaboom. Finish us off.

 

[jase05]

Yes there is the uncanny instinct of following the herd . AKA joining the longest queue.

Despite millions of years of evolution, that instinct is still there.

I must admit I’m a bit like you. I’ll queue in the line that I think I should be in regardless of the length.
PB isn’t the be all and end all but if you advertise a product it would be nice if you atleast tried to offer it otherwise just scrap it completely.
It’s actually one of the easiest products to monitor and enforce and who knows QF might actually attract plenty of positive feedback if they atleast seen to be trying to do something about it

 

[Quickstatus]

I must admit I’m a bit like you. I’ll queue in the line that I think I should be in regardless of the length.

RUOK?
Ill put you in for reason 4): I'll stand in the line that I think i should be in regardless of the length.

Could a moderator please have a chat with @jase05 to see if he is OK